In the middle of the 20th century, Scientists warned about the increasing temperature of the earth and its possible effects on humanity. To many, it was regarded as a hoax, a fallacy aimed at reducing industrialization. However with the negative effects of global warming now evident in all facets of the society, even those who had initial doubts about the veracity of the claim by Scientists of rising global temperatures can now attest to the fact that there is a change in the global climate pattern.

 The activities of man have contributed to the rise in average global temperatures due to the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases traps energy resulting in greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are carbondioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone including industrial gases like hydroflourocarbons. These greenhouse gases are the major cause of climate change and are emitted from coal and fossil fuels. 

In Nigeria, global warming has had a significant impact on rainfall. Seasonal rainfall patterns have changed in the southern and middle Belt parts of the country, including some south Eastern and northern states, with flooding and erosion becoming very common. Earlier in April this year, about 30 houses were submerged and not less than 200 persons were rendered homeless in a flooding disaster in cross river state. In July, no fewer than 640 houses were destroyed in two flooding incidents in Sokoto due to heavy downpours. In 2015, not fewer than 53 persons were killed and about 100,420 persons were displaced due to flooding disasters across the country. Most northern states in the country experience extreme shortage of rainfall, high temperature and loss of vegetation due to extreme weather conditions.

Also, Nigerian states around the atlantic coast are all suffering from rise in the sea level. Based on recent studies, unless urgent steps are taken, most of the infrastructural development currently ongoing in Delta, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross Rivers States will most likely be submerged under water in the near future.

Several efforts have been made by the government to reduce the effects of climate change. Massive tree planting exercises have been undertaken in most states, especially in Lagos State where about six million trees has already been planted across 20 local government areas of the state. The Nigeria Conservation Federation (NCF) also contributed to the development of the REDD (Reducing Emissions through Reduction in forest degradation and deforestation) strategy for Nigeria. Efforts are been made to implement REDD strategy in the management of protected areas.

The federal government is also investing heavily on research institutes especially FRIN (Forestry Research institute of Nigeria) in order to foster the development of extensive programmes aimed at protecting the environment, sustaining the environment and tackling climate change.